India's Congress party has conceded defeat in a key heartland state as the rival ruling Hindu nationalists made strong gains in four state polls that could influence the timing of the next federal election.
Congress, which ruled all four going into the elections, conceded the main state of Madhya Pradesh, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears to have won in a landslide as counting continues.
"People have voted for a change, let there be change," Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh told reporters on Thursday.
Strong gains could spur the BJP rank and file to push for a national election early next year rather than going full term to October. But the extent of the gains will not be known until counting ends later on Thursday.
The BJP appeared headed for wins in two of the states, Congress in one and a photo-finish in the fourth.